adventure adventure films… are exciting stories, with new experiences or exotic locales....

ADVENTUREADVENTURE

Adventure Films…Adventure Films…

are exciting stories, with new experiences or are exciting stories, with new experiences or exotic locales. Adventure films are very similar to exotic locales. Adventure films are very similar to the the action filmaction film genre, in that they are designed to genre, in that they are designed to provide an action-filled, energetic experience for provide an action-filled, energetic experience for the film viewer. Rather than the predominant the film viewer. Rather than the predominant emphasis on violence and fighting that is found in emphasis on violence and fighting that is found in action films, however, the viewer of adventure action films, however, the viewer of adventure films can live vicariously through the travels, films can live vicariously through the travels, conquests, explorations, creation of empires, conquests, explorations, creation of empires, struggles and situations that confront the main struggles and situations that confront the main characters, actual historical figures or characters, actual historical figures or protagonists. protagonists.

Directors of Classic Adventure Directors of Classic Adventure FilmsFilms

Cecil B. DeMilleCecil B. DeMille Michael CurtizMichael Curtiz John HustonJohn Huston David LeanDavid Lean Raoul WalshRaoul Walsh

Stars of Classic Adventure FilmsStars of Classic Adventure Films Douglas Fairbanks Sr. (and Jr.)Douglas Fairbanks Sr. (and Jr.) Errol FlynnErrol Flynn Clark GableClark Gable Johnny WeismullerJohnny Weismuller Gary CooperGary Cooper Burt LancasterBurt Lancaster Kirk DouglasKirk Douglas Charlton HestonCharlton Heston Harrison FordHarrison Ford

SerialsSerials

The action/adventure film first The action/adventure film first became popular with weekly became popular with weekly Saturday Saturday serialsserials, running in , running in installments that often had 'cliff-installments that often had 'cliff-hanging' endings to entice viewers to hanging' endings to entice viewers to return for the next show return for the next show

SerialsSerials

Heroine Pearl White in the 20-Heroine Pearl White in the 20-episode episode The Perils of Pauline (1914)The Perils of Pauline (1914) was the first major super-star of the was the first major super-star of the silent serials silent serials

Heroes of B-Picture Adventure Heroes of B-Picture Adventure FilmsFilms

Red RyderRed Ryder Captain MarvelCaptain Marvel ““The Shadow”The Shadow” Rin Tin TinRin Tin Tin Buck RogersBuck Rogers Flash Gordon—Flash Gordon—

Starring “Buster” Starring “Buster” CrabbeCrabbe

Modern-Day Homage to Classic Modern-Day Homage to Classic Adventure FilmsAdventure Films

An affectionate return An affectionate return and tribute to the and tribute to the early days of Saturday early days of Saturday morning matinees and morning matinees and cinema, with comic-cinema, with comic-book archaeology hero book archaeology hero Indiana Jones Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) (Harrison Ford) battling the Nazis battling the Nazis while searching for the while searching for the sacred Ark of the sacred Ark of the Covenant - the first in Covenant - the first in a very successful a very successful trilogy of films. trilogy of films.

The Swashbuckler andThe Swashbuckler andDouglas Fairbanks, SrDouglas Fairbanks, Sr

The first major form of adventure film was The first major form of adventure film was the the swashbucklerswashbuckler

Featured energetic Hollywood, beefcake Featured energetic Hollywood, beefcake action-heroesaction-heroes

Set in historically atmospheric settings of Set in historically atmospheric settings of the 18th or 19th centuriesthe 18th or 19th centuries

Lavish sets, costumes, and weapons of the Lavish sets, costumes, and weapons of the pastpast

Often built upon action scenes of sea Often built upon action scenes of sea battles, castle duels, sword and cutlass battles, castle duels, sword and cutlass fighting, etc., and the romancing of fighting, etc., and the romancing of damsels in distress damsels in distress


The first successful swashbuckler star of The first successful swashbuckler star of the 1920s was the charming, exuberant, the 1920s was the charming, exuberant, gracefully-athletic, gymnastic actor gracefully-athletic, gymnastic actor Douglas Fairbanks Sr., who performed Douglas Fairbanks Sr., who performed most of his own stunts and daring most of his own stunts and daring swordplay in a wide range of swordplay in a wide range of costume costume adventuresadventures, starring as Zorro, Robin Hood , starring as Zorro, Robin Hood in the large-scale film version in the large-scale film version Robin Hood Robin Hood (1922)(1922), and the acrobatic D'Artagnan in , and the acrobatic D'Artagnan in the film adaptation of Dumas' adventure the film adaptation of Dumas' adventure classic classic The Three Musketeers (1921)The Three Musketeers (1921)


Moving from comedy-Moving from comedy-adventures to derring-adventures to derring-do costume do costume adventures at the adventures at the start of the decade, start of the decade, Fairbanks starred in Fairbanks starred in director Fred Niblo's director Fred Niblo's silent silent The Mark of The Mark of Zorro (1920)Zorro (1920)


Creative director Rouben Creative director Rouben Mamoulian stylishly Mamoulian stylishly remade the Fairbanks' remade the Fairbanks' 1920 Zorro tale almost two 1920 Zorro tale almost two decades later as the decades later as the historical swashbuckler historical swashbuckler The Mark of Zorro The Mark of Zorro (1940)(1940) with Tyrone Power with Tyrone Power as the dashing, masked as the dashing, masked and foppish hero Don and foppish hero Don Diego Vega in old Diego Vega in old California, who duels with California, who duels with a villainous oppressor a villainous oppressor (Basil Rathbone) to the (Basil Rathbone) to the death in the film's climaxdeath in the film's climax

Errol Flynn in SwashbucklersErrol Flynn in Swashbucklers

Fairbanks, in the Fairbanks, in the silent era, was silent era, was succeeded by the succeeded by the dashing Australian dashing Australian actor Errol Flynn - actor Errol Flynn - the major the major swashbuckling swashbuckling male star of the male star of the 30s and early 40s 30s and early 40s adventure films in adventure films in the sound era the sound era

Errol Flynn in SwashbucklersErrol Flynn in Swashbucklers

The Adventures of Robin The Adventures of Robin Hood was his most popular Hood was his most popular film and the quintessential film and the quintessential adventure-tale adventure-tale swashbuckler about the swashbuckler about the Robin Hood legend. The Robin Hood legend. The Technicolor film was noted Technicolor film was noted for the lengthy swordfight for the lengthy swordfight in Nottingham Castle in Nottingham Castle between Flynn and Basil between Flynn and Basil Rathbone (as Sir Guy of Rathbone (as Sir Guy of Gisbourne), and Flynn's Gisbourne), and Flynn's love for leading lady Olivia love for leading lady Olivia de Havilland.de Havilland.

Historically-Based Historically-Based Swashbucklers of the 30s and Swashbucklers of the 30s and

40s40s The Count of Monte Cristo (1912, The Count of Monte Cristo (1912,

1934, 1974, and 2002)1934, 1974, and 2002) The Three Musketeers (1916, 1921, The Three Musketeers (1916, 1921,

1933, 1935, 1948, 1973, and 19931933, 1935, 1948, 1973, and 1993 The Man in the Iron Mask (1939 and The Man in the Iron Mask (1939 and

19981998)) The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934)The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934) Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) - a Best - a Best

Picture winnerPicture winner Cyrano De Bergerac (1950)Cyrano De Bergerac (1950), ,

Tarzan Adventure FilmsTarzan Adventure Films

The 26 Tarzan books of The 26 Tarzan books of Edgar Rice Burroughs Edgar Rice Burroughs became the subject became the subject matter for a long series matter for a long series of vine-swinging, ape-of vine-swinging, ape-man adventures set in man adventures set in the junglethe jungle

The first "Lord of the The first "Lord of the Jungle" was actor Elmo Jungle" was actor Elmo LincolnLincoln

The most famous of the The most famous of the Tarzan actors was Tarzan actors was Johnny WeissmullerJohnny Weissmuller


In total, Weissmuller appeared in twelve In total, Weissmuller appeared in twelve productions of the productions of the TarzanTarzan series series

Tarzan, the Ape Man (1932)Tarzan, the Ape Man (1932) - the first - the first feature-length Tarzan talkie feature-length Tarzan talkie

Tarzan and His Mate (1934)Tarzan and His Mate (1934) Tarzan Escapes (1936)Tarzan Escapes (1936) Tarzan Finds a Son! (1939)Tarzan Finds a Son! (1939) Tarzan's Secret Treasure (1941)Tarzan's Secret Treasure (1941) Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942)Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942) - -

O'Sullivan makes her final appearance as O'Sullivan makes her final appearance as Jane Jane


In total, Weissmuller appeared in twelve In total, Weissmuller appeared in twelve productions of the productions of the TarzanTarzan series series

Tarzan Triumphs! (1943)Tarzan Triumphs! (1943), RKO , RKO Tarzan's Desert Mystery (1943)Tarzan's Desert Mystery (1943), RKO , RKO Tarzan and the Amazons (1945)Tarzan and the Amazons (1945), RKO , RKO Tarzan and the Leopard Woman Tarzan and the Leopard Woman

(1946)(1946), RKO , RKO Tarzan and the Huntress (1947)Tarzan and the Huntress (1947), RKO , RKO Tarzan and the Mermaids (1948)Tarzan and the Mermaids (1948), RKO , RKO

Modern Day Swashbucklers - Modern Day Swashbucklers - Pirate FilmsPirate Films

In the 80s and 90s, the pirate-In the 80s and 90s, the pirate-themed film was unsuccessfully themed film was unsuccessfully revived again and again. Here revived again and again. Here are just some examples of are just some examples of modern-day pirate adventure modern-day pirate adventure film that were usually box-office film that were usually box-office disasters and artistic flopsdisasters and artistic flops


Island (1980)Island (1980) The Pirate Movie (1982)The Pirate Movie (1982) aka aka The The

Pirates of PenzancePirates of Penzance The Goonies (1985)The Goonies (1985) Hook (1991)Hook (1991) Muppet Treasure Island (1996)Muppet Treasure Island (1996) Cutthroat Island (1995)Cutthroat Island (1995)


There was one major exception to the multiple financial There was one major exception to the multiple financial disasters - director Gore Verbinski's updated, thrilling and disasters - director Gore Verbinski's updated, thrilling and effective effective Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)Black Pearl (2003), with Oscar-nominated Johnny Depp as , with Oscar-nominated Johnny Depp as tipsy, vilified scalawag Captain Jack Sparrow in a Disney-like tipsy, vilified scalawag Captain Jack Sparrow in a Disney-like tale (and based upon a famous Disney theme park ride). It tale (and based upon a famous Disney theme park ride). It had all the elements of classic pirate tales: a feisty damsel had all the elements of classic pirate tales: a feisty damsel in distress (Keira Knightley), sea battles and sword duels, in distress (Keira Knightley), sea battles and sword duels, cursed pirates (Geoffrey Rush as Captain Barbossa), an cursed pirates (Geoffrey Rush as Captain Barbossa), an heroic rescue, etc. The PG-13 rated film, with a Disney heroic rescue, etc. The PG-13 rated film, with a Disney theme park-related title, was the theme park-related title, was the firstfirst Walt Disney Pictures Walt Disney Pictures film (usually a family-friendly studio) ever to receive a film (usually a family-friendly studio) ever to receive a MPAA rating over PG in the US.MPAA rating over PG in the US.

Sea-Faring Adventure FilmsSea-Faring Adventure Films

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) Steven Spielberg's blockbuster Steven Spielberg's blockbuster Jaws (1975)Jaws (1975)

The Abyss (1989)The Abyss (1989) The Hunt for Red October (1990)The Hunt for Red October (1990) Crimson Tide (1995)Crimson Tide (1995), starring Denzel Washington (as , starring Denzel Washington (as

second in command Lt. Cmdr. Hunter) and Gene Hackman second in command Lt. Cmdr. Hunter) and Gene Hackman (as Capt. Ramsey), (as Capt. Ramsey),

Jungle Adventure FilmsJungle Adventure Films

The greatest jungle The greatest jungle adventure film of adventure film of all time, the Beauty all time, the Beauty and the Beast and the Beast classic classic King Kong (1933)King Kong (1933)

Other Types of Adventure FilmsOther Types of Adventure Films

King Arthur and Knights of the Round King Arthur and Knights of the Round Table Epics/Adventure Films Table Epics/Adventure Films

Films With Historical Explorers Films With Historical Explorers Adventure Films in Outdoor and/or Adventure Films in Outdoor and/or

Foreign Locales, including Humphrey Foreign Locales, including Humphrey Bogart Classics:Bogart Classics:– The African Queen (1951)The African Queen (1951)– The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

Charlton Heston:Charlton Heston:Adventure HeroAdventure Hero

Charlton Heston was also Charlton Heston was also cast innumerable times as an cast innumerable times as an adventure hero in epic adventure hero in epic adventure films:adventure films:

First in two Biblical epics as First in two Biblical epics as Moses in Cecil B. De Mille's Moses in Cecil B. De Mille's The Ten Commandments (19The Ten Commandments (1956)56)

And as Palestinian Jew Ben-And as Palestinian Jew Ben-Hur in William Wyler's Hur in William Wyler's Ben-Ben-HurHur (1959) (1959)

El Cid (1961)El Cid (1961) Planet of the Apes (1968)Planet of the Apes (1968)

Aviation-RelatedAviation-RelatedAdventure FilmsAdventure Films

Only Angels Have Wings (1Only Angels Have Wings (1939)939) with Cary Grant with Cary Grant

Flying Tigers (1942)Flying Tigers (1942) with with John WayneJohn Wayne

The Spirit of St. Louis The Spirit of St. Louis (1957)(1957) with James Stewart with James Stewart

The Flight of the The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)Phoenix (1965) about a about a North African desert plane North African desert plane crash with a plane full of crash with a plane full of stars stars

The suspenseful The suspenseful Apollo 13 Apollo 13 (1995)(1995) chronicled NASA's chronicled NASA's crisis-filled lunar mission in crisis-filled lunar mission in 19701970

Top Gun (1986)Top Gun (1986) with Tom with Tom CruiseCruise

adventure adventure films… are exciting stories, with new experiences or exotic locales....

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